SECURITIES CONTRACTS REGULATION ACT, 1956

SECURITIES CONTRACTS REGULATION ACT, 1956

Preamble 1 - SECURITIES CONTRACTS (REGULATION)ACT, 1956

THE SECURITIES CONTRACTS (REGULATION) ACT, 1956

[Act, No.42 of 1956]

[4th September, 1956]

PREAMBLE

An Act to prevent undesirable transactions in securities by regulating the business of dealing therein, by[1] [***] providing for certain other matters connected therewith.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:

Section 1 - Short title, extent and commencement

(1)     This Act may be called the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.

(2)     It extents to the whole of India.

(3)     It shall come into force on such date (20th February, 1957, vide S.R.O.528, dated the 16th February, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, 1957, part II, Sec, p.549.} as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

Section 2 - Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a)      'Contract' means a contract for or relating to the purchase or sale of securities;

[2] ['(aa) "corporatisation" means the succession of a recognised stock exchange, being a body of individuals or a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), by another stock exchange, being a company incorporated for the purpose of assisting, regulating or controlling the business of buying, selling or dealing in securities carried on by such individuals or society;

(ab) "demutualisation" means the segregation of ownership and management from the trading rights of the members of a recognised stock exchange in accordance with a scheme approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India;]

[3] [[4] [(ac)] "derivative" includes--

(A) a security derived from a debt instrument, share, loan, whether secured or unsecured, risk instrument or contract for differences or any other form of security;

(B) a contact which derives its value from the prices, or index of prices, of underlying securities]]

[5] [(C) commodity derivatives; and

(D) such other instruments as may be declared by the Central Government to be derivatives;]

(b)      'Government security' means a security created and issued, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, by the Central Government or a State Government for the purpose of raising a public loan and having one of the forms specified in clause (2) of section 2 of the Public Debt Act, 1944 (13 of 1944);

[6] [(bb) "goods" mean every kind of movable property other than actionable claims, money and securities;

(bc) "commodity derivative" means a contract-

(i)       for the delivery of such goods, as may be notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette, and which is not a ready delivery contract; or

(ii)      for differences, which derives its value from prices or indices of prices of such underlying goods or activities, services, rights, interests and events, as may be notified by the Central Government, in consultation with the Board, but does not include securities as referred to in sub-clauses (A) and (B) of clause (ac);]

(c)      'member ' means a member of a recognised stock exchange;

[7] [(ca) "non-transferable specific delivery contract" means a specific delivery contract, the rights or liabilities under which or under any delivery order, railway receipt, bill of lading, warehouse receipt or any other documents of title relating thereto are not transferable;]

(d)      'option in securities' means a contract for the purchase or sale of a right to buy or sell, or a right to buy and sell, securities in future, and includes a teji, a mandi, a tejimandi, a galli, a put, a call or a put and call in securities;

(e)      'prescribed' means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

[8] [(ea) "ready delivery contract" means a contract which provides for the delivery of goods and the payment of a price therefore, either immediately, or within such period not exceeding eleven days after the date of the contract and subject to such conditions as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in respect of any goods, the period under such contract not being capable of extension by the mutual consent of the parties thereto or otherwise:

Provided that where any such contract is performed either wholly or in part;

(I)      by realisation of any sum of money being the difference between the contract rate and the settlement rate or clearing rate or the rate of any offsetting contract; or

(II)     by any other means whatsoever, and as a result of which the actual tendering of the goods covered by the contract or payment of the full price therefore is dispensed with, then such contract shall not be deemed to be a ready delivery contract;]

(f)       'recognised stock exchange' means a stock exchange which is for the time being recognised by the Central Government under section 4;

(g)      'rules', with reference to the rules relating in general to the constitution and management of a stock exchange, includes, in the case of a stock exchange which is an incorporated association, its memorandum and articles of association;

[9] (ga) "scheme" means a scheme for corporatisation or demutualisation of a recognised stock exchange which may provide for-

(i)       the issue of shares for a lawful consideration and provision of trading rights in lieu of membership cards of members of a recognised stock exchange;

(ii)      the restrictions on voting rights;

(iii)     the transfer of property, business, assets, rights, liabilities, recognitions, contracts of the recognised stock exchange, legal proceedings by, or against, the recognised stock exchange, whether in the name of the recognised stock exchange or any trustee or otherwise and any permission given to, or by, the recognised stock exchange;

(iv)    the transfer of employees of a recognised stock exchange to another recognised stock exchange;

(v)      any other matter required for the purpose of, or in connection with, the corporatisation or demutualisation, as the case may be, of the recognised stock exchange;';]

[10] [[11] [(gb)] "Securities Appellate Tribunal" means a Securities Appellate Tribunal established under sub-section (1) of section 15K of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992)]

(h)     'securities' include-

(i)       shares, scrips stocks, bonds, debentures, debenture stock or other marketable securities of a like nature in or of any incorporated company or other body corporate;

[12] [(ia) derivative;

(ib) units or any other instrument issued by any collective investment scheme to the investors in such schemes]

[13] [(ic) security receipt as defined in clause (zg) of section 2 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002;]

[14] [(id) units or any other such instrument issued to the investors under any mutual fund scheme;]

[15] [Explanation.-- For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that "securities" shall not include any unit linked insurance policy or scrips or any such instrument or unit, by whatever name called, which provides a combined benefit risk on the life of the persons and investment by such persons and issued by an insurer referred to in clause (9) of section 2 of the Insurance Act, 1938(4 of 1938).]

[16] [(ie) any certificate or instrument (by whatever name called), issued to an investor by any issuer being a special purpose distinct entity which possesses any debt or receivable, including mortgage debt, assigned to such entity, and acknowledging beneficial interest of such investor in such debt or receiveable including mortgage debt, as the case may be;]

(ii) Government securities; and

(iii) rights or interests in securities;

[17] [(ha) "specific delivery contract" means a commodity derivative which provides for the actual delivery of specific qualities or types of goods during a specified future period at a price fixed thereby or to be fixed in the manner thereby agreed and in which the names of both the buyer and the seller are mentioned;]

[18] [(i) "spot delivery contract" means a contract which provides for,-

(a)      actual delivery of securities and the payment of a price therefore either on the same day as the date of the contract or on the next day, the actual period taken for the dispatch of the securities or the remittance of money therefore through the post being excluded from the computation of the period aforesaid if the parties to the contract do not reside in the same town or locality;

(b)      transfer of the securities by the depository from the account of a beneficial owner to the account of another beneficial owner when such securities are dealt with by a depository;]

[19] [(j) "stock exchange " means--

(a)      any body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, constituted before corporatisation and demutualisation under sections 4A and 4B, or

(b)      a body corporate incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 whether under a scheme of corporatisation and demutualisation or otherwise,for the purpose of assisting, regulating or controlling the business of buying, selling or dealing in securities;'.]

[20] [(k) "transferable specific delivery contract" means a specific delivery contract which is not a non-transferable specific delivery contract and which is subject to such conditions relating to its transferability as the Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.]

Section 2A - Interpretation of certain words and expressions

[21] [2A. Interpretation of certain words and expressions

Words and expressions used herein and not defined in this Act but defined in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) or the Depositories Act, 1996 (22 of 1996) shall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in those Acts.]

Section 3 - Application for recognition of stock exchanges

(1)     Any stock exchange, which is desirous of being recognised for the purposes of this Act, may make an application in the prescribed manner to the Central Government.

(2)     Every application under sub-section (1) shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed , and shall be accompanied by a copy of the bye-laws of the stock exchange for the regulation and control of contracts and also a copy of the rules relating in general to the constitution of the stock exchange, and in particular, to?

(a)      the governing body of such stock exchange, its constitution and powers of management and the manner in which the business is to be transacted;

(b)      the powers and duties of the office bearers of the stock exchange;

(c)      the admission into the stock exchange of various classes of members, the qualifications for memberships, and the exclusion, suspension, expulsion and re-admission of members there from or there into;

(d)      the procedure for the registration of partnerships as members of the stock exchange in cases where the rules provide for such membership; and the nomination and appointment of authorised representatives and clerks.

Section 4 - Grant of recognition to stock exchanges

(1)     If the Central Government is satisfied, after making such inquiry as may be necessary in this behalf and after obtaining such to further information, if any, as it may require,?

(a)      that the rules and bye-laws of a stock exchange applying for registration are in conformity with such conditions as may be prescribed with a view to ensure fair dealing and to protect investors;

(b)      that the stock exchange is willing to comply with any other conditions (including conditions as to the number of members) which the Central Government, after consultation with the governing body of the stock exchange and having regard to the area served by the stock exchange and its standing and the nature of the securities dealt with by its, may impose for the purpose of carrying out the objects of this Act; and

(c)      that it would be in the interest of the trade and also in the public interest to grant recognition to the stock exchange;it may grant recognition to the stock exchange subject to the conditions imposed upon it as aforesaid and in such form as may be prescribed.

(2)     The conditions which the Central Government may prescribe under clause (a) of sub-section (1) for the grant of recognition to the stock exchanges may include, among other matters, conditions relating to,?

(i)       the qualifications for membership of stock exchanges;

(ii)      the manner in which contracts shall be entered into and enforced as between members;

(iii)     the representation of the Central Government on each of the stock exchanges by such number of persons not exceeding three as the Central Government may nominate in this behalf; and

(iv)    the maintenance of accounts of members and their audit by Chartered accountants wherever such audit is required by the Central Government.

(3)     Every grant of recognition to a stock exchange under this section shall be published in the Gazette of India and also in the Official Gazette of the State in which the principal office of the stock exchange is situate, and such recognition shall have effect as from the date of its publication in the Gazette of India.

(4)     No application for the grant of recognition shall be refused except after giving an opportunity to the stock exchange concerned to be heard in the matter; and the reasons for such refusal shall be communicated to the stock exchange in writing.

(5)     No rules of a recognised stock exchange relating to any of the matters specified in sub-section (2) of section 3 shall be amended except with the approval of the Central Government.

Section 4A - Corporatisation and demutualisation of stock exchanges

[22] [4A. Corporatisation and demutualisation of stock exchanges.-

On and from the appointed date, all recognised stock exchanges (if not corporatised and demutualised before the appointed date) shall be corporatised and demutualised in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 4B:

Provided that the Securities and Exchange Board of India may, if it is satisfied that any recognised stock exchange was prevented by sufficient cause from being corporatised and demutualised on or after the appointed date, specify another appointed date in respect of that recognised stock exchange and such recognised stock exchange may continue as such before such appointed date.

Explanation.-- For the purposes of this Section, "appointed date" means the date which the Securities and Exchange Board of India may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different appointed dates may be appointed for different recognised stock exchanges]

Section 4B - Procedure for corporatisation and demutualisation

[23] [Section 4B - Procedure for corporatisation and demutualisation

(1)     All recognised stock exchanges referred to in Section 4A shall, within such time as may be specified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, submit a scheme for corporatisation and demutualisation for its approval:

Provided that the Securities and Exchange Board of India, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify name of the recognised stock exchange, which had already been corporatised and demutualised, and such stock exchange shall not be required to submit the scheme under this Section.

(2)     On receipt of the scheme referred to in sub-Section (1), the Securities and Exchange Board of India may, after making such enquiry as may be necessary in this behalf and obtaining such further information, if any, as it may require and if it is satisfied that it would be in the interest of the trade and also in the public interest, approve the scheme with or without modification.

(3)     No scheme under sub-Section (2) shall be approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India if the issue of shares for a lawful consideration or provision of trading rights in lieu of membership card of the members of a recognised stock exchange or payment of dividends to members have been proposed out of any reserves or assets of that stock exchange.

(4)     Where the scheme is approved under sub-Section (2), the scheme so approved shall be published immediately by ?

(a)      the Securities and Exchange Board of India in the Official Gazette;

(b)      the recognised stock exchange in such two daily newspapers circulating in India, as may be specified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India,and upon such publication, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force or any agreement, award, judgment, decree or other instrument for the time being in force, the scheme shall have effect and be binding on all persons and authorities including all members, creditors, depositors and employees of the recognised stock exchange and on all persons having any contract, right, power, obligation or liability with, against, over, to, or in connection with, the recognised stock exchange or its members.

(5)     Where the Securities and Exchange Board of India is satisfied that it would not be in the interest of the trade and also in the public interest to approve the scheme under sub-Section (2), it may, by an order, reject the scheme and such order of rejection shall be published by it in the Official Gazette:

Provided that the Securities and Exchange Board of India shall give a reasonable opportunity of being heard to all the persons concerned and the recognised stock exchange concerned before passing an order rejecting the scheme.

(6)     The Securities and Exchange Board of India may, while approving the scheme under sub-Section (2), by an order in writing, restrict-

(a)      the voting rights of the shareholders who are also stock brokers of the recognised stock exchange;

(b)      the right of shareholders or a stock broker of the recognised stock exchange to appoint the representatives on the governing board of the stock exchange;

(c)      the maximum number of representatives of the stock brokers of the recognised stock exchange to be appointed on the governing board of the recognised stock exchange, which shall not exceed one-fourth of the total strength of the governing board.

(7)     The order made under sub-Section (6) shall be published in the Official Gazette and on the publication thereof, the order shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), or any other law for the time being in force, have full effect.

(8)     Every recognised stock exchange, in respect of which the scheme for corporatisation or demutualisation has been approved under sub-Section (2), shall, either by fresh issue of equity shares to the public or in any other manner as may be specified by the regulations made by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, ensure that at least fifty-one per cent. of its equity share capital is held, within twelve months from the date of publication of the order under sub-Section (7), by the public other than shareholders having trading rights:

Provided that the Securities and Exchange Board of India may, on sufficient cause being shown to it and in the public interest, extend the said period by another twelve months.'.]

Section 5 - Withdrawal of recognition

[24] [5(1)].Withdrawal of recognition.-

(1)     If the Central Government is of opinion that the recognition granted to a stock exchange under the provisions of this Act should, in the interest of the trade or in the public interest, be withdrawn, the Central Government may serve on the governing body of the stock exchange a written notice that the Central Government is considering the withdrawal of the recognition for the reasons stated in the notice, and after giving an opportunity to the governing body to be heard in the matter, the Central Government may withdraw, by notification in the Official Gazette, the recognition granted to the stock exchange;

Provided that no such withdrawal shall affect the validity of any contract entered into or made before the date of the notification, and the Central Government may, after consultation with the stock exchange, make such provision as it deems fit in the notification of withdrawal or in any subsequent notification similarly published for the due performance of any contracts outstanding on that date.

[25] [(2) Where the recognised stock exchange has not been corporatised or demutualised or it fails to submit the scheme referred to in sub-Section (1) of Section 4B within the specified time therefore or the scheme has been rejected by the Securities and Exchange Board of India under sub-Section (5) of Section 4B, the recognition granted to such stock exchange under Section 4, shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, stand withdrawn and the Central Government shall publish, by notification in the Official Gazette, such withdrawal of recognition:

Provided that no such withdrawal shall affect the validity of any contract entered into or made before the date of the notification, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India may, after consultation with the stock exchange, make such provisions as it deems fit in the order rejecting the scheme published in the Official Gazette under sub-Section (5) of Section 4B." .]

Section 6 - Power of Central Government to call for periodical returns or direct inquiries to be made

(1)     Every recognised stock exchange shall furnish to the Central Government such periodical returns relating to its affairs as may be prescribed.

(2)     Every recognised stock exchange and every member thereof shall maintain and preserve for such periods not exceeding five years such books of account, and other documents as the Central Government, after consultation with the stock exchange concerned, may prescribe in the interest of the trade or in the public interest, and such books of account, and other documents shall be subject to inspection at all reasonable times by the Central Government.

(3)     Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1) and (2), the Central Government, if it is satisfied that it is in the interest of the trade or in the public interest so to do, may order in writing,?

(a)      call upon a recognised stock exchange or any member thereof to furnish in writing such information or explanation relating to the affairs of the stock exchange or of the member in relation to the stock exchange as the Central Government may require; or

(b)      appoint one or more persons to make an inquiry in the prescribed manner in relation to the affairs of the governing body of a stock exchange or the affairs of any of the members of the stock exchange in relation to the stock exchange and submit a report of the result if such inquiry to the Central Government within such time as may be specified in the order or, in the case of an inquiry in relation to the affairs of any of the members of a stock exchange, direct the governing body to make the inquiry and submit its report to the Central Government

(4)     Where an inquiry in relation to the affairs of a recognised stock exchange or the affairs of any of its members in relation to the stock exchange has been undertaken under sub-section (3),?

(a)      every director, manager, secretary or other officer of such stock exchange;

(b)      every member of such stock exchange;

(c)      if the member of the stock exchange is a firm, every partner, manager, secretary or other officer of the firm; and

(d)      every other person or body of persons who has had dealing in the course of business with any of the persons mentioned in clauses (a), (b) and (c), whether directly or indirectly;shall be bound to produce before the authority making the inquiry all such books of account, and other documents in his custody or power relating to or having a bearing on the subject-matter of such inquiry and also to furnish the authorities within such time as may be specified with any such statement or information relating thereto as may be required of him.

Section 7 - Annual reports to be furnished to the Central Government by stock exchanges

Every recognised stock exchange shall furnish the Central Government with a copy of the annual report, and such annual report shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed.

Section 7A - Power of recognized stock exchange to make rules restricting voting rights, etc.

(1)     A recognised stock exchange may make rules or amend any rules made by it to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely---

(a)      the restriction of voting rights to members only in respect of any matter placed before the stock exchange at any meeting;

(b)      the regulation of voting rights in respect of any matter placed before the stock exchange at any meeting so that such member may be entitled to have one vote only, irrespective of his share of the paid-up equity capital of the stock exchange;

(c)      the restriction on the right of a member to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote at a meeting of the stock exchange;

(d)      such incidental consequential and supplementary matters as may be necessary to give effect to any of the matters specified in clauses (a),(b) and (c).

(2)     No rules of a recognised stock exchange made or amended in relation to any matter referred to in clauses (a) to (d)of sub-section (1) shall have effect until they have been approved by the Central Government and published by that Government in the Official Gazette and, in approving the rules so made or amended, the Central Government may make such modifications therein as it thinks fit, and on such publication, the rules as approved by the Central Government shall be deemed to have been validly made, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956.).".]

Section 8 - Power of Central Government to direct rules to be made or to make rules

(1)     Where, after consultation with the governing bodies of stock exchanges generally or with the governing body of any stock exchange in particular, the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order in writing together with a statement of the reasons therefore, direct recognised stock exchanges generally or any recognised stock exchange in particular, as the case may be, to make any rules or to amend any rules already made in respect of all or any of the matters specified in sub -section ( 2) of section 3 within a period of[26] [two] months from the date of the order .

(2)     If any recognised stock exchange fails or neglects to comply with any order made under sub -section ( 1) within the period specified therein, the Central Government may make the rules for, or amend the rules made by, the recognised stock exchange, either in the form proposed in the order or with such modifications thereof as may be agreed to between the stock exchange and the Central Government.

(3)     Where in pursuance of this section any rules have been made or amended, the rules so made or amended shall be published in the Gazette of India and also in the Official Gazette or Gazettes of the State or States in which the principal office or offices of the recognised stock exchange or exchanges is or are situate, and on the publication thereof in the Gazette of India, the rules so made or amended shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (I of 1956), or in any other law for the time being in force, have effect, as if they had been made or amended by the recognised stock exchange or stock exchanges, as the case may be .

Section 8A - Clearing corporation

[27] [8A. Clearing corporation.-

(1)     A recognised stock exchange may, with the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, transfer the duties and functions of a clearing house to a clearing corporation, being a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), for the purpose of ?

(a)      the periodical settlement of contracts and differences thereunder;

(b)      the delivery of, and payment for, securities ;

(c)      any other matter incidental to, or connected with, such transfer.

(2)     Every clearing corporation shall, for the purpose of transfer of the duties and functions of a clearing house to a clearing corporation referred to in sub-Section (1), make bye-laws and submit the same to the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its approval.

(3)     The Securities and Exchange Board of India may, on being satisfied that it is in the interest of the trade and also in the public interest to transfer the duties and functions of a clearing house to a clearing corporation, grant approval to the bye-laws submitted to it under sub-Section (2) and approve transfer of the duties and functions of a clearing house to a clearing corporation referred to in sub-Section (1).

(4)     The provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 shall, as far as may be, apply to a clearing corporation referred to in sub-Section (1) as they apply in relation to a recognised stock exchange.".]

Section 9 - Power of recognised stock exchanges to make byelaws

(1)     Any recognized stock exchange may, subject to the previous approval of the Central Government, make bye-laws for the regulation and control of contracts.

(2)     In particular , and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such bye-laws may provide for-

(a)      the opening and closing of markets and the regulation of the hours of trade;

(b)      a clearing house for the periodical settlement of contracts and differences here under, the delivery of and payment for securities, the passing on of delivery orders and the regulation and maintenance of such clearing house;

(c)      the submission to the Central Government by the clearing house as soon as may be after each periodical settlement of all or any of the following particulars as the Central Government may, from time to time, require, namely;-

(i)       the total number of each category of security carried over from one settlement period to another;

(ii)      the total number of each category of security, contracts in respect of which have been squared up during the course of each settlement period;

(iii)     the total number of each category of security actually delivered at each clearing;

(d)      the publication by the clearing house of all or any of the particulars submitted to the Central Government under clause (c) subject to the directions, if any, issued by the Central Government in this behalf;

(e)      the regulation or prohibition of blank transfers;

(f)       the number and classes of contracts in respect of which settlements shall be made or differences paid through the clearing house;

(g)      the regulation, or prohibition of budlas or carry-over facilities;

(h)     the fixing, altering or postponing of days for settlements;

(i)       the determination and declaration of market rates, including the opening, closing, highest and lowest rates for securities;

(j)       the terms, conditions and incidents of contracts, including the prescription of margin requirements, if any, and conditions relating thereto, and the forms of contracts in writing;

(k)      the regulation of the entering into, making, performance, rescission and termination, of contracts, including contracts between members or between a member and his constituent or between a member and a person who is not a member, and the consequences of default or insolvency on the part of a seller or buyer or intermediary, the consequences of a breach or omission by a seller or buyer, and the responsibility of members who are not parties to such contracts;

(l)       the regulation of taravani business including the placing of limitations thereon;

(m)    the listing of securities on the stock exchange, the inclusion of any security for the purpose of dealings and the suspension or withdrawal of any such securities, and the suspension or prohibition of trading in any specified securities;

(n)     the method and procedure for the settlement of claims or disputes, including settlement by arbitration;

(o)      the levy and recovery of fees, fines and penalties;

(p)      the regulation of the course of business between parties to contracts in any capacity;

(q)      the fixing of a scale of brokerage and other chargers;

(r)      the making, comparing, settling and closing of bargains;

(s)      the emergencies in trade which may arise, whether as a result of pool or syndicated operations or cornering or otherwise, and the exercise of powers in such emergencies, including the power to fix maximum and minimum prices for securities;

(t)       the regulation of dealings by members for their own account;

(u)     the separation of the functions of the jobbers and brokers;

(v)      the limitations on the volume of trade done by any individual member in exceptional circumstances;

(w)     the obligation of members to supply such information or explanation and to produce such documents relating to the business as the governing body may require.

(3)     The bye-laws made under this section may-

(a)      specify the bye-laws the contravention of which shall make a contract entered into otherwise than in accordance with the bye-laws void under sub-section (1) of section14;

(b)      provide that the contravention of any of the bye-laws shall render the member concerned liable to one or more of the following punishments, namely:-

(i)       fine;

(ii)      expulsion from membership;

(iii)     suspension from membership for a specified period;

(iv)    any other penalty of a like nature not involving the payment of money.

(4)     Any bye-laws made under this section shall be subject to such conditions in regard to previous publication as may be prescribed, and when approved by the Central Government, shall be published in the Gazette of India and also in the Official Gazette of the State in which the principal office of the recognized stock exchange is situate, and shall have effect as from the date of its publication in the Gazette of India;

Provided that if the Central Government is satisfied in any case that in the interest of the trade or in the public interest any bye-law should be made immediately, it may, by order in writing specifying the reasons therefore, dispense with the condition of previous publication.

Section 10 - Power of Central Government to make or amend byelaws of recognised stock exchanges

(1)     The Central Government may, either on a request in writing received by it in this behalf from the governing body of a recognised stock exchange or on its own motion, if it is satisfied after consultation with the governing body of the stock exchange that it is necessary or expedient so to do and after recording its reasons for so doing, make bye-laws for all or any of the matters specified in section 9 or amend any bye-laws made by such stock exchange under that section.

(2)     Where in pursuance of this section any bye-laws have been made or amended, the due-laws so made or amended shall be published in the Gazette of India and also in the Official Gazette of the State in which the principal office of the recognised stock exchange is situate, and on the publication thereof in the Gazette of India, the bye-laws so made or amended shall have effect as if they had been made or amended by the recognised stock exchange concerned.

(3)     Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, where the governing body of a recognised stock exchange objects to any bye-laws made or amended under this section by the Central Government on its own motion, it may, within 8[two] months of the publication thereof in the Gazette of India under sub-section (2) , apply to the Central Government for revision thereof, and the Central Government may, after giving an opportunity to the governing body of the stock exchange to be heard in the matter, revise the bye-laws so made or amended, and where any bye-laws so made or amended are revised as a result of any action taken under this sub-section, the bye-laws so revised shall be published and shall become effective as provided in sub-section (2).

(4)     The making or the amendment or revision of any bye-laws under this section shall in all cases be subject to the condition of previous publication;

Provided that if the Central Government is satisfied in any case that in the interest of the trade or in the public interest any bye-laws should be made, amended or revised immediately, it may, by order in writing specifying the reasons therefore, dispense with the condition of previous publication.

Section 11 - Power of Central Government to supersede governing body of a recognised stock exchange

(1)     Without prejudice to any other powers vested in the Central Government under this Act, where the Central Government is of opinion that the governing body of any recognised stock exchange should be superseded, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Central Government may serve on the governing body a written notice that the Central Government is considering the supersession of the governing body for the reasons specified in the notice and after giving an opportunity to the governing body to be heard in the matter it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare the governing body of such stock exchange to be superseded, and may appoint any person or persons to exercise and perform all the powers and duties of the governing body, and, where more persons than one are appointed, may appoint one of such persons to be the chairman and another to be the vice-chairman thereof.

(2)     On the publication of a notification in the Official Gazette under sub-section (1), the following consequences shall ensue, namely;-

(a)      the members of the governing body which has been superseded shall, as from the date of the notification of supersession, cease to hold office as such members;

(b)      the person or persons appointed under sub-section (1)may exercise and perform all the powers and duties of the governing body which has been superseded;

(c)      all such property of the recognised stock exchange as the person or persons appointed under sub-section(1) may, by order in writing, specify in this behalf as being necessary for the purpose of enabling him or them to carry on the business of the stock exchange, shall vest in such person or persons.

(3)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law or the rules or bye-laws of the recognised stock exchange the governing body of which is superseded under sub-section (1), the person or persons appointed under that sub-section shall hold office for such period as may be specified in the notification published under that sub-section , and the Central Government may from time to time, by like notification, vary such period.

(4)     The Central Government may at any time before the determination of the period of office of any person or persons appointed under this section call upon the recognised stock exchange to re-constitute the governing body in accordance with its rules and on such re-constitution all the property of the stock exchange which has vested in, or was in the possession of, the person or persons appointed under sub-section(1) shall re-vest or vest, as the case may be, in the governing body so re-constituted;

Provided that until a governing body is so re-constituted, the person or persons appointed under sub-section(1) shall continue to exercise and perform their powers and duties.

Section 12 - Power to suspend business of recognised stock exchanges

If in the opinion of the Central Government an emergency has risen and for the purpose of meeting the emergency the Central Government considers it expedient so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, for reasons to be set out therein, direct a recognised stock exchange to suspend such of its business for such period not exceeding seven days and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification, and, if, in the opinion of the Central Government, the interest of the trade or the public interest requires that the period should be extended, may, by like notification extend the said period from time to time:

Provided that where the period of suspension is to be extended beyond the first period, no notification extending the period of suspension shall be issued unless the governing body of the recognised association has been given an opportunity of being heard in the matter.

Section 12A - Power to issue directions

THE SECURITIES CONTRACTS (REGULATION) AMENDMENT ACT, 1985

[Act, No. 40 of 1985]

[1st June, 1985]

PREAMBLE

An Act further to amend the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. Short title and commencement

(1)     This Act may be called the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Act,1985.

(2)     It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. Insertion of new section 22A

In the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), after section 22, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-

22A. Free transfer ability and registration of transfers of listed securities of companies

(1)     In this section, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a)      "company" means a company whose securities are listed on a recognised stock exchange;

(b)      "security" means security of a company, being a security listed on a recognised stock exchange but not being a security which is not fully paid up or on which the company has a lien;

(c)      all other words and expressions used in this section and not defined in this Act but defined in the Companies Act, 1956 ( 1 of 1956) shall have the same meanings as are assigned to them in that Act.

(2)     Subject to the provisions of this section, securities of companies shall be freely transferable.

(3)     Notwithstanding anything contained in its articles or in section 82 or section 111 of the Companies Act, 1956, (1 of1956) but subject to the other provisions of this section, a company may refuse to register the transfer of any of its securities in the name of the transferee on any one or more of the following grounds and on no other ground, name:--

(a)      that the instrument of transfer is not proper or has not been duly stamped and executed or that the certificate relating to the security has not been delivered to the company or that any other requirement under the law relating to registration of such transfer has not been complied with;

(b)      that the transfer of the security is in contravention of any law;

(c)      that the transfer of the security is likely to result in such change in the composition of the Board of Directors as would be prejudicial to the interests of the company or to the public interest;

(d)      that the transfer of the security is prohibited by any order of any court, tribunal or other authority under any law for the time being in force.

(4)     A company shall, before the expiry of two months from the date on which the instrument of transfer of any of its securities is lodged with it for the purposes of registration of such transfer, not only form, in good faith, its opinion as to whether such registration ought not or ought to be refused on any of the grounds mentioned in sub-section (3) but also?

(a)      if it has formed the opinion that such registration ought not to be so refused, effect such registration;

(b)      if it has formed the opinion that such registration ought to be refused on the ground mentioned in clause (a) of sub-section (3), intimate the transferor and the transferee by notice in the prescribed form about the requirements under the law which has or which have to be complied with for securing such registration; and

(c)      in any other case, make a reference to the Company Law Board and forward copies of such reference to the transferor and the transferee.

(5)     Every reference under clause (c) of sub-section (4), shall be in the prescribed form and contain the prescribed particulars and shall be accompanied by the instrument of transfer of the securities to which it relates, the documentary evidence, if any, furnished to the company along with the instrument of transfer, and evidence of such other nature and such fees as may be prescribed.

(6)     On receipt of a reference under sub-section (4), the Company Law Board shall, after causing reasonable notice to be given to the company and also to be transferor and the transferee concerned and giving them a reasonable opportunity to make their representations, if any, in writing by order direct either that the transfer shall be registered by the company or that it need not be registered by it.

(7)     Where on a reference under sub-section (4) the Company Law Board directs that the transfer of the securities to which it relates-

(a)      shall be registered by the company, the company shall give effect to the direction within ten days of the receipt of the order as it is were an order made on appeal by the Company Law Board in exercise of the powers under section 111 of the Companies Act, 1956;

(b)      need not be registered by the company, the company shall within ten days from the date of such direction, intimate the transferor and the transferee accordingly.

(8)     It default is made in complying with the provisions of this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

(9)     If in any reference made under clause (c), of sub-section (4) of this section, any person makes any statement-

(a)      which is false in any material particular, knowing it to be false; or

(b)      which omits any material fact knowing it to be material, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

(10)   For the removal of doubts, it is hereby provided that nothing in this section shall apply in relation to any securities the instrument of transfer in respect whereof has been lodged with the company before the commencement of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Act, 1985.'.

3. Amendment of section 30

In section 24 of the principal Act, after sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-

"(3) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of section 22A.".

4. Amendment of section 30

In section 30 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2),-

(a)      in clause (h), the word "and" occurring at the end shall be omitted ;

(b)      after clause (h), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-

"(ha) the form in which a notice referred to sub-clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 22 A shall be, the particulars which such notice shall contain, the form in which a reference under clause (c) of the said sub-section (4) shall be, the particulars which such reference shall contain, and the evidence and the fees which shall accompany such reference; and".

Section 13 - Contracts in notified areas illegal in certain circumstances

If the Central Government is satisfied, having regard to the nature or the volume of transactions in securities in any[28] [State or States or area], that is necessary so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare this section to apply to such[29] [State or States or area], and thereupon every contract in such[30] [State or States or area] which is entered into after the date of the notification otherwise than[31] [between members of a recognised stock exchange or recognized stock exchanges] in such[32] [State or States or area] or though or with such member shall be illegal.

[33] [Provided that any contract entered into between members of two or more recognised stock exchanges in such State or States or area, shall-

(i) be subject to such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the respective stock exchanges with prior approval of Securities and Exchange Board of India;

(ii) require prior permission from the respective stock exchanges if so stipulated by the stock exchanges with prior approval of Securities and Exchange Board of India."]

Section 13A - Additional trading floor

[34] [13A. Additional trading floor

A stock exchange may establish additional trading floor with the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated by the said Board.

Explanation: For the purposes of this section, " additional trading floor" means a trading ring or trading facility offered by a recognised stock exchange outside its area of operation to enable the investors to buy and sell securities through such trading floor under the regulatory framework of that stock exchange]

Section 14 - Contracts in notified areas to be void in certain circumstances

(1)     Any contract entered into any State or area specified in the notification under section 13 which is in contravention of any of the bye-laws specified in that behalf under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9 shall be void?

Y

(i)       as respects the rights of any member of the recognised stock exchange who has entered into such contract in contravention of any such bye-law, and also

(ii)      as respects the rights of any other person who has knowingly participated in the transaction entailing such contravention.

(2)     Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be construed to affect the right of any person other than a member of the stock exchange to enforce any such contract or to recover any sum under or in respect of such contract if such person had no knowledge that the transaction was in contravention of any of the bye-laws specified in clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9.

Section 15 - Members may not act as principals in certain circumstances

No member of a recognised stock exchange shall in respect of any securities enter into any contract as a principal with any person other than a member of a recognised stock exchange, unless he has secured the consent or authority of such person and discloses in the note, memorandum or agreement of sale or purchase that he is acting as a principal;

Provided that where the member has secured the consent or authority of such person otherwise than in writing he shall secure written confirmation by such persons of such consent or authority within three days from the date of the contract;

Provided further that no such written consent or authority of such person shall be necessary for closing out any outstanding contract entered into by such person in accordance with the bye-laws, if the member discloses in the note, memorandum or agreement of sale or purchase in respect of such closing that he is acting as a principal.

Section 16 - Power to prohibit contracts in certain cases

(1)     If the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary to prevent undesirable speculation in specified securities in any State or area, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that no person in the State or area specified in the notification shall, save with the permission of the Central Government, enter into any contract for the sale or purchase of any security specified in the notification except to the extent and in the manner, if any, specified therein.

(2)     All contracts in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) entered into after the date of the notification issued thereunder shall be illegal.

Section 17 - Licensing of dealers in securities in certain areas

(1)     Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) and to the other provisions contained in this Act, no person shall carry on or purport to carry on, whether on his own behalf of any other person, the business if dealing securities in any State or area to which section 13 has not been declared to apply and to which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare this section to apply, except under the authority of a licence granted by the Central Government in this behalf.

(2)     No notification under sub-section (1) shall be issued with respect to any State or area unless the Central Government is satisfied, having regard to the manner in which securities are being dealt with in such State or area, that it is desirable or expedient in the interest of the trade or in the public interest that such dealings should be regulated by a system of licensing.

(3)     The restrictions imposed by sub-section (1) in relation to dealing in securities shall not apply to the doing of anything by or behalf of a member of any recognised stock exchange.

Section 17A - Public issue and listing of securities referred to in sub-clause (ie) of clause (h) of section 2

[35] [17A. Public issue and listing of securities referred to in sub-clause (ie) of clause (h) of section 2.--

(1)     Without prejudice to the provisions contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, no securities of the nature referred to in sub-clause (ie) of clause (h) of section 2 shall be offered to the public or listed on any recognised stock exchange unless the issuer fulfils such eligibility criteria and complies with such other requirements as may be specified by regulations made by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

(2)     Every issuer referred to in sub-clause (ie) of clause (h) of section 2 intending to offer the certificates or instruments referred therein to the public shall make an application, before issuing the offer document to the public, to one or more recognised stock exchanges for permission for such certificates or instruments to be listed on the stock exchange or each such stock exchange.

(3)     Where the permission applied for under sub-section (2) for listing has not been granted or refused by the recognised stock exchanges or any of them, the issuer shall forthwith repay all moneys, if any, received from applicants in pursuance of the offer document, and if any such money is not repaid within eight days after the issuer becomes liable to repay it, the issuer and every director or trustee thereof, as the case may be, who is in default shall, on and from the expiry of the eighth day, be jointly and severally liable to repay that money with interest at the rate of fifteen per cent. per annum.

Explanation.--In reckoning the eighth day after another day, any intervening day which is a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881(26 of 1881), shall be disregarded, and if the eighth day (as so reckoned) is itself such a public holiday, there shall for the said purposes be substituted the first day thereafter which is not a holiday.

(4)     All the provisions of this Act relating to listing of securities of a public company on a recognised stock exchange shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the listing of the securities of the nature referred to in sub-clause (ie) of clause (h) of section 2 by the issuer, being a special purpose distinct entity.

Section 18 - Exclusion of spot delivery contracts from Sections. 13, 14, 15 and 17

(1)     Nothing contained in sections 13, 14,15 and 17 shall apply to spot delivery contracts.

(2)     Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), if the Central Government is of opinion that in the interest of the trade or in the public interest it is expedient to regulate and control the business of delaying in spot delivery contracts also in any State or area (whether section 13 has been declared to apply to the State or area or not), it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the provisions of section 17 shall also apply to such State or area in respect of spot delivery contracts generally or in respect of spot delivery contracts for the sale or purchase of such securities as may be specified in the notification, and may also specify the manner in which, and the extent to which, the provisions of that section shall so apply.

Section 18A - Contracts in derivatives

[36] [18A. Contracts in derivatives

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the lime being in force, contracts in derivative shall be legal and valid if such contracts are--

(a) traded on a recognised stock exchange;

(b) settled on the clearing house of the recognised [37] [stock exchange; or] in accordance with the rules and bye-laws of such stock exchange.]

[38] [(c) between such parties and on such terms as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify,]

Section 19 - Stock exchanges other than recognised stock exchanges prohibited

(1)     No person shall, except with the permission of the Central Government, organise or assist in organising or be a member of any stock exchange (other than a recognised stock exchange ) for purpose of assisting in, entering into or performing any contracts in securities.

(2)     This section shall come into force in any State or area on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

Section 20 - [Omitted]

20.[39] [***]

Section 21 to 22F - LISTING OF SECURITIES

LISTING OF SECURITIES[40] [***]

Section 21 - Conditions for listing

[41] [21. Conditions for listing

Where securities are listed on the application of any person if any recognised stock exchange, such person shall comply with the conditions of the listing agreement with that stock exchange

Section 21A - Delisting of securities

[42] [21A. Delisting of securities

(1)     A recognised stock exchange may delist the securities, after recording the reasons therefore, from any recognised stock exchange on any of the ground or grounds as may be prescribed under this Act: